It's a Wrap

I've been home 4 days already. I think it's time to do the final "2007 Midwest Tour with Beth Amsel" wrap up. The tour has actually been re-christened "The 2007 Damn Run-Flat Tires are Expensive Tour".

So we had a lovely two days off in Iowa City where I visited a raptor center and nature preserve with a towheaded 3 year old who stole my heart. In the evenings we were treated to healthy and delicious meals (and one late night pizza) by our dear friends and we laughed until our faces ached.

We drove up to Chicago a day early and visited the remarkable Shedd Aquarium where we saw a baby beluga who was born just 8 weeks ago. The place is huge, but we managed to see it all. Though towards the end we got very tired and a skosh seasick and glossed over some exhibits - "Small fish, small fish, yada yada, - ooh poisonous frogs come look!" I've never been to Chicago before and our gracious hosts took us to two of the best breakfast joints I've ever visited and treated us to a crazy delicious stuffed pizza. Mmm. The company was great too.

The show in Chicago was sold out and the audience was fab. Finally it was onward to Indianapolis - my final show with Beth. My parents drove down from Detroit to see us and brought us a pre-show Cajun dinner.

Hm, I seem to have recapped our meals in more detail than our performances. Priorities people. Priorities.

Back in Iowa

(Photo credits: Kerry Nikutta)
Today we don't have to drive anywhere! Woo-hoo! Since I last checked in we played a house concert in West Allis, WI hosted by two fabulous women and three precious little dogs. It was there I met my mystery guest - a sweetheart of a Joni-lister from Texas. A wonderful surprise. It was a great show and probably the only time I will ever perform next to a life-size cardboard cutout of Xena the warrior princess.

We drove to Minneapolis for another house concert - or rather, Beth drove to Minneapolis while I slept for 3 hours in the bed she has constructed in the back of her Sienna. Very comfy. Mmm. Finally it was back to Ames, Iowa for a show in an art gallery. It was sparsely attended but the space was beautiful.

We haven't had a flat tire in days! (Knock on wood). Next stop, Chicago ...

Cheese curds

Cheese curds are a delicacy in Wisconsin and this is the first I've heard of them. I haven't tried one yet, but I think today is the day. For the past couple of days we've been staying with a friend of mine in Waterford, WI. We each have our own bedroom and bath and let me tell you, this is the life.

It's been an interesting (in a good way) week - a public radio broadcast, a gig in a funky basement wine bar, and one in a lovely cafe overlooking a lazy river. We narrowly avoided spending the night in a flophouse and managed to get 2 flat tires (one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday). With the exception of one rainy day in Cedar Falls, IA the weather has been warm and blissful. Tonight we play a sold out house concert and some friendly faces will be there, including one "mystery guest" who travelled a distance to get here. Hm ...